The sudden death of actor Puneeth Rajkumar after a workout at the gym has cast its shadow over the gym and fitness industry in Mysuru, which was just beginning to flourish after the COVID-19 setback.
While attendance at the gyms and fitness centers was very low on Saturday, the day after Puneeth’s death, the owners and managers hope for an improvement in attendance from Monday. Discussion topic even among the few who showed up for training on Saturday revolved around the actor’s untimely death and the effects of high-intensity and strenuous exercise on the heart.
Sreejith, who runs a fitness center in Bannimantap, described Puneeth’s death as an unfortunate one and said he was wary of unfounded rumors that could harm the industry, which suffered a major blow during the lockdown. A fan of the Kannada actor, Mr Sreejith, said people may be using the tragedy as an excuse to stay away from daily exercise.
However, he pointed out that medical advice remained for daily exercise even after the actor died. “Doctors have only warned people not to cross borders and overexert the heart. Exercise in moderation will not harm anyone, it will only be beneficial, ”said Mr. Sreejith, who has trained people for more than two decades.
Meanwhile, Harsha, president of the Mysuru Gym Owners and Fitness Centers’ Association, ruled out the possibility of people dropping out because of Puneeth’s death. He hoped people would return to their gyms in the coming days. He said the association will take the necessary steps to ensure that gym attendees are rigorously screened for medical history and counseled prior to admission so that an appropriate exercise schedule is followed. It also ensures that fitness trainers are qualified and have an official certificate from a reputable training institute.
Mr Harsha said the association launched a month-long Fit Mysuru campaign starting November 1, offering people a two-day free workout at one of its 250-member gyms. The aim is to create awareness of exercise and to educate the public about fitness and healthy eating and living. “This campaign also aims to break myths about gyms and the fitness industry,” he said.
He said the camp is open to anyone over the age of 6. Aside from weight lifting, people will also be exposed to zumba, dance, yoga, aerobics, etc., he said.
